Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Clear Differences

The article on the Fairfax County School Board special election (voting is on Aug. 29) left the impression that candidate Karen Keys-Gamarra and candidate Chris Grisafe hold similar positions on the concerns of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students, families and employees. Our interviews with the candidates and their campaigns indicate that this is far from the truth. Grisafe has indicated to us and various audiences that he supports separating transgender students in use of facilities and restrooms, will not commit to keeping Gender Identity in the non-discrimination policy that affects students and employees, and expresses that our community should have a discussion about whether to include explicit mention of same-sex families in the K-6 Family Life Education curriculum; he says an opt-in method of signing kids up to FLE may solve some of the disagreement. Karen Keys-Gamarra has expressed to us her complete support of the inclusion of LGBTQ students in our schools, including in the non-discrimination policy and in school facilities. If this is not the case, the candidates should say so clearly to all audiences. Fairfax County voters stark choice between these two candidates on how they would approach the concerns of LGBTQ students, families and employees.